By Tom Parsons
May 22 – Excitement has been building in London this week with a series of UEFA-backed events in advance of Saturday’s all-German Champions League final between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich.
Wembley will host the first ever all-German affair on Saturday and in doing so will become the first venue to hold the final twice in the space of three years. To celebrate this mouthwatering fixture UEFA have announced a five-day football celebration across England’s capital as a warm up to Saturday’s main event.
This morning (Wednesday May 22) former Real Madrid footballer Christian Karembeu and England Ladies player Kim Little will be joined by local school children to officially open the UEFA Champions League themed site on Trafalgar Square. The area will be will be converted into a football pitch laid with turf and the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Women’s Champions League trophies will be on display.
During the afternoon of May 22, Liverpool hero Steve Mcmanaman, the 2013 UEFA Champions League ambassador, will be joined by local school children to officially unveil the UEFA legacy maxi-pitch in Pimlico. The pitch has been donated by UEFA as part of its Grassroots Day as well as to celebrate the English FA’s 150th anniversary together with the hosting of the final.
Wednesday evening’s entertainment includes a spectacular 3D show at Trafalgar Square and is packed with special affects and music. The 3D show will bring to life some of the most memorable moments from the European Cup and Champions League since its formation in 1965.
There will also be a flashback on how Dortmund and Bayern Munich made it through to Saturday’s final. This display will be shown until Friday with three showings daily at 9:30pm, 10pm and 10:30pm.
On Thursday as well events in the City itself, The International Quarter at Stratford, close to the Olympic Park, will play host to a celebration of football lasting until Sunday. Girls grassroots training sessions will take place at the venue on Thursday, run by several high profile names in the women’s game including ex-England international Faye White.
The day is dedicated to Women’s football and precedes the UEFA Women’s Champions League final between VfL Wolfsburg and holders Olympique Lyonnais to be at played at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge that evening.
Whilst this is taking place in the east of the city at Stratford, in central London, Futsal legends Ricardinho and Javi Rodríguez will showcase the 11-a-side game’s smaller brother at Trafalgar Square. They will demonstrate the skills they have learnt playing the game and encourage younger players to improve their play on the specially laid turf pitch in the heart of London’s west end and under the watchful eye of Admiral Lord Nelson’s iconic statue.
The Futsal legends will then appear at the International Quarter in Stratford on the Friday before Barcelona Under 23s take on the English Futsal team at the festival. A celebrity match including greats such as Cafu and Robert Pires will round off the evening and the futsal activities.
If the above excitement wasn’t enough for fans, Saturday hosts the World Freestyle Championships, a Champions 5-a-side game between legends of the game, and a demonstration on disability football before the big event kicks off at Wembley.
People attending the festival will also have the opportunity to have photographs taken with the two Champions League trophies and the UEFA Futsal Cup trophy, visit the UEFA Champions League museum, take part in skills clinics and get involved with many competitions throughout the week.
Steve McManaman, 2013 UEFA Champions League final ambassador, said: “This year’s UEFA Champions Festival is going to be better than ever and it is fantastic to have the event in Stratford as the area really came alive last summer for London 2012. The programme of events is outstanding and with the different themes and focus for every day we can be sure there is something for everyone, making it a perfect family day out.”
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